Typically, the American public pays attention to public education twice a year, at graduation and back to school. If this were any normal year, our family would be preparing for one of those cherished memories – our eldest kid’s first day of kindergarten. But this year is far from normal and the only thing we’re preparing for is month six of Camp Quarantine.
Read More“Daddy, can we go to the zoo, today?”
“Not today, baby. The zoo isn’t open. It’s closed because of the sickness, remember?
We have this conversation every few days.
Read More“Mommy, I’m worried those men are going to kill Daddy.” That’s what my four-year-old daughter told my wife as they drove past some police cars this afternoon.
Read MoreGrowing up, a sharp line separated “grown folks’ business” and kid activities. There was occasional overlap, but for the most part, adults and children occupied different orbits around the same familial planet. Information for children was on a “need to know” basis and adult affairs (the business kind) were conducted in mystery and sealed with a code of silence.
Read MoreOne thing you learn from parenthood is to trust your instincts, especially where your children are concerned. It’s an important lesson if, like me, you’re someone who once prided themselves on being a “rationalist” and considered “analytical” among the highest compliments. Fortunately, time, experience, and children have (belatedly) broadened my view.
Read MoreNew year, new you. January is the month of reinvention. Or, at least, the month to aspire toward reinvention. The last few days on social media have been like an online self-help convention. Each scroll uncovers reflections on the past year and motivational speeches for the next one. Everywhere you look, people are pledging to cast off their old bad habits and adopt new ones. Time to transform. Time to become the best version of yourself!
Read MoreI used to hate holidays. I was the Grinch that stole Christmas, Halloween, the 4th of July and Arbor Day. Too much hassle, too many arguments, and too much labor for so little benefit.
Read MoreEach summer, my wife and I make the annual cross-country pilgrimage to visit family. If you’ve never had the pleasure of taking a long vacation with multiple young children…
Read MoreA few months ago, I ran across a Tweet – now lost to the ether – that said, “There’s nothing more humbling than disciplining your kid when they’re demonstrating your own flaws.”
Read MoreAbout three months ago, I traded my wife in for a roommate. I didn’t have much choice, actually. She found a new man who has been taking all of her time. So, I packed up my most important belonging and moved in with the girl down the hall.
Read MoreParenthood is illuminating for any number of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with the child. It shines a light on the parents’ personalities, on the nature of their relationship (if two partners are involved), and on the culture of their society.
Read More“A woman becomes a mother when she’s pregnant, a man becomes a father when the baby is born.” At least, that’s what a friend told us when my wife and I were expecting our first child.
Read MoreI almost never use an alarm, except for rare and unpleasant occasions like an early morning flight out of SFO. Yet, two weeks from now, I’ll be heading to bed early (which is a minor death for me), and setting the clock app on my phone for a 4:00am wake-up.
Read MoreEveryone always says that having kids will change your life. It sure as hell does, but it also makes you reflect on your own life – especially your childhood – almost nonstop.
Read MoreSelf-esteem is important for the development and growth of children. Children who have low self-esteem, have negative thoughts about themselves, give up easily and feel like they do not belong at school or in groups/sports...
Read MoreWe learned via AskDrSears that nursing may be tough at first, but it offers many benefits for moms. Check out these benefits below and learn how you can gain support at Community Well!
Read MoreEveryone wants their family to be healthy and well. However, with our fast paced lives and work schedules, we might not always have time to improve our family's wellness. We learned via Kaplan University 5 easy ways you can help your family become healthier.
Read MoreParents are often feeling stressed out from managing busy schedules and raising kids. We learned via Psychology Today that there are several ways to decrease stress in parents. They reported that, "Numerous studies have shown that parents who report higher levels of parenting stress are more likely to be authoritarian, harsh, and negative in their interactions with their child (e.g., Deater-Deckard & Scarr, 1996). Furthermore, parenting stress decreases the quality of the parent-child relationship."
Here are 4 ways you can destress and create harmony as a family!
Read MoreWe learned via HealthyChildren that "Human milk provides virtually all the protein, sugar, and fat your baby needs to be healthy". It also contains many substances that benefit your baby’s immune system, including antibodies, immune factors, enzymes, and white blood cells."
Read MoreOften, it's easy for moms to forget to schedule time for themselves. From drivings kids to soccer practice to cooking up a healthy dinner and getting them to bed on time, mamas don't have an easy job. Carving out some "you time" is essential for the health and sanity of you and your family. The Confident Mom shares a few helpful tips in penciling in time for self-care:
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